Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-03-03


was more 1.-THE and active than a
powerful man, but was, nevertheless,
by reason Of his brutal disposition,
the terror of all peaceably disposed
men of the corps. He had served in
the army three years, during which
period he was always in trouble. On
the return of the regiment from
abroad, he came to US from the depot
with an extremely bad character, and
this evil reputation he afterward con-
sistently maintained. At the reduc.
ton of the army referred to in the
colonel's remarks, the services of Mr..
Scales would to certainty have been
dispensed with had he not at the
time been deserter. Being appre-
hended and brought back to the corps
at the beginning of the scare occasion
ed by the disturbed relations of Prus-
STA and France, he received two
months imprisonment, and was sent
to his duty. Three days after his re-
lease an officers room was broken
into, and all his valuables distracted {;
and in this business it was supposed
Scales was implicated, conformity with
comrade of equally bad repute.
This private deserted with the booty,
and Scales was apprehended on sus-
picion and handed over to the civil
authorities but he was liberated,
owing to no sufficient evidence being
forthcoming to warrant his being sent
to trial on the charge. His next feat
was striking non-commissioned off.
Ger, and for this offense he was now
sentenced to nine months imprison-
ment; the further recommendation
by the court martial for his dismissal
from the service with ignominy being
RENTED by the general commanding
the district.
In the afternoon Williams and /,
equipped in marching order and pro-
vided each with ten rounds Of ammu.
milton and a days rations, made
our appearance at the regimental
guard room. The sergeant Of the
guard gave me word of caution, and
Informed me that Scales had been
boasting to the men that he meant to
make his escape.
Our man received US with stolid
look, and mechanically held out his
wrists for the reception of the hand
cuffs and after word of farewell to
the other prisoners, he took his place
beside the private, who had his bay
onet fixed. / then marched them out
of barracks into the principal street
of the town. Perceiving man Of
my own regiment who was engaged
on garrison police duty, | asked him
to accompany us to the outskirts, in
case the prisoner took fancy to bolt
down one of the numerous tortuous
alleys that led to the wharves near
the pier. Having reached the limits
of his beat, the private returned, and
| was congratuIating myself on having
nearly reached the open country, in
which Scales would run a poor chance
Of escaping from our custody, when
we were met by large drove of oxen.
In spite Of the exertions Of the dro-
vers, the cattle passed on either side
Of us, and Scales, handcuffed though
he was, watching his opportunity,
suddenly sprang aside, and lodging
among the animals, gained the foot
path and ran townwards with the
heetness Of hare. Disengaging our
selves as quickly as possible from the
cattle, we started in pursuit but as
we were encountered with our rifles
and knapsacks, we made but little
Roadway, only managing to keep the
fugitive in sight. We shouted to a
few rustics to intercept him but the
yokels perceiving that it was only a
soldier running away from an escort,
greeted him instead with cries Of en-
couragement. Suddenly, to my de-
light, a policeman appeared ahead,
who spread ont his arms and tried to
catch the runaway; but Scales, drop
ping his head, butted him like ram,
and knocking over the guardian Of
the peace turned to the right and dis
appeared down lane little distance
ahead. This lane led into a yard
which was situated at the back Of a
row of storehouses, and which was a
cul de sac. Reinforced by the police
man, we followed close on the heels
of the fugitive, feeling certain that as
there were no means of exit we would
speedily capture him. Meeting at
the entrance to the yard drayman
with his vehicle loaded with barrels
we EAGERLY asked him If he had seen